A Comparative Numerical Aerodynamic Study between SD7032 and NACA0015 Aerofoil as Adjustable RearWing for Formula Student Cars

The aerodynamic performance of Formula Student cars serves a crucial role in handling the speed and stability in lower speed racings, compared to Formula One cars. Selecting the appropriate aerofoil depending on Reynolds Number impacts for the car’s rear wing is critical, especially in optimizing aerodynamic efficiency across varying driving conditions like crosswinds. This paper is specifically focused on how the Low and High Reynolds Number aerofoil impacts on the racing track. To compare, SD7032 and NACA0015 aerofoil model has been chosen for numerical analysis under varying speeds from 30 to 120 km/h with 0º to -90º adjustable angles of attack. Through this comparative analysis, the NACA0015 model shows significantly less generative drag and higher negative lift than SD7032 model aerofoil, which reflects better performance during speeding event at 0º to -10º angles of attack. Meanwhile, as the SD7032 model generates higher drag and generative negative lift, this aerofoil shows comparatively better performance during braking event with adjusting the aerofoil in -60º to -90º angles of attack. This state while braking is crucial, because it creates excessive resistance during acceleration. As Formula Student cars are margined to obtain between 200-300 kg weight, this higher drag can be sensitive while speeding in light weight cars with high turbulent boundary layers. As a result, SD7032 model provides a superior negative lift-to-drag ratio specifically for braking events and ensures a good aerodynamic stability.